A novel kind of multiple steady states characteristics in the dividing wall column

Abstract

Abstract In this article, one kind of multiple steady states (MSS) phenomenon was investigated for a dividing wall column (DWC). The four-section model constructed in Aspen Plus was employed to simulate two DWC cases: mixture of n-hexane, n-heptane and n-octane; system of methanol, ethanol and n-propanol. It can be seen that there is a range of vapor split ratio in which multiple solutions of reflux ratio exist for fixed DWC configuration with the same feed and product streams. The width and the curve shapes of the MSS region, and the number of solutions change with the liquid split ratio. This MSS phenomenon was further explained using the component recovery around the prefractionator and the component recycling flow inside the DWC. This MSS phenomenon is helpful for DWC design by knowing the probable existence of multiple solutions in advance.